A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to consider expanding the child abduction information program to include missing person cases involving persons with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other mental disabilities.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department participates in the statewide Amber Alert program that partners law enforcement agencies, media broadcasting agencies, and the public in an effort to locate children that have just been abducted; and

WHEREAS, the Amber Alert program provides immediate up-to-date information about a child abduction through widespread media broadcasts, and has been effective in bringing abducted children home safely; and

WHEREAS, Atlanta, Georgia has expanded their version of the child abduction information program to include missing persons who suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, and other mental disabling conditions; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta Alzheimer's emergency alert system, known as "Mattie's Call", provides for the immediate dissemination of information regarding the missing person to all broadcast media, the Emergency Alert System, hospitals, and homeless shelters; and

WHEREAS, according to a publication released by the Alzheimer's Association, approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer from this disabling brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's patients often become disoriented and confused, which causes them to wander off from their familiar surroundings; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department consider implementing a program similar to Atlanta's Mattie's Call to help locate missing Alzheimer's patients.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to consider expanding the child abduction information program to include missing person cases involving persons with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other mental disabilities.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution by interdepartmental mail or electronic mail to Chief of Police Ronal Serpas.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard